From the Flight Deck

Back in the day, we were issued a belt weather kit, which we used to take weather readings on the fire lines. It consisted of an anemometer, a sling psychrmoeter and a thermometer.

It fit in a red pouch that was worn on a web belt and it took three or four minutes to perform the tests, check the charts and record the results. It also took two hands to hold everything while taking readings.

These days, we use a Kestral (http://www.kestrelmeters.com) weather meter which takes only a few seconds and can be done with one hand.

Someday, the belt weather kit may end up in a fire museum, in a display akin to the Malton Gallery. Then, I will really feel old!

Thanks for the post.

For all the times I have went to/through Pearson, I have never saw that. I might have to visit it sometime!

My dad was telling me about talking to you today, I hope you had a good flight from Toronto?. ( I think that's what he said. )

Hey Doug I am taking meteorology in PPL ground school and I was wondering: if the temperature and the dew point are close together, will that mean there will be a high relative humidity?

before you "exit" to take a look have a look at the security lines on level two, and one, to the left of the exit, if you have a short layover....you may not make it back in on time for departure :)

neat post....are these older instruments or are any of them still in use today?

is the two degree spread °C or °F?

This is so brilliant!

"It took lots of science and post secondary education to "screw up the forecast.""

I may have to quote this in future! Nice one Capt D!

Ed

Capt. Schmoe. Thanks for the insight. I checked out the "weather meters." Neat stuff.

The fact that you can get meteorological data from a held held electronic device is making me feel old as well. :)

I assume you are captain with the fire service?

Daniel.

Pearson has tons of "spots" capable of hosting lots more. But it's a start.

Yes, your dad met my flight. The gate agent didn't show up so your dad came to the rescue.
He wanted known he wasn't the one working the gate.

I said, "I know it wasn't... because after all... you won the award of excellence!" LOL

Your father mentioned a magazine wants one of your pictures taken at Oshkosh. Good for you!

That new camera of yours paid off!

Brett. You are learning well! Yes, when the temperature and dew point spread narrows the relative humidity goes up. When they are the same value, it's foggy or just on the cusp of being foggy.

I kinda miss teaching private pilot meteorology. Always enjoyed teaching the "newbies."

Brett. You are learning well! Yes, when the temperature and dew point spread narrows the relative humidity goes up. When they are the same value, it's foggy or just on the cusp of being foggy.

I kinda miss teaching private pilot meteorology. Always enjoyed teaching the "newbies."

First....Hey there Captain Doug,

I do NOT want to meet the weather man....who doned the UUUUUMMMMMMMM ballon thingie.....he's probably in treatment now....LOL....

those are some scarey looking instruments....
the glass globe....that looks like one of my glorified bug Barb-b-qrrrrrrrrrr's

funny didn't see the watch strap....in a vat of Formaldehyde......either....mmmm

CAT III....from what I read in the Smithsonian weekly.....Captain Doug, was and is the only Older
instrument still in operation today....

we sure have come a long way..weather wise......if it weren't for school science projects....

nothing would have advanced....I am Serious!!!!!.....nothing is home made anymore with the computer....I want the days back when all you needed was Elmer's glue.....

(and don't even tell me you never ate any of it....ha ha)thats my excuse....lol...and construction paper....

computer does all your thinking for you now........it is too easy to take the easy way out....now...just google....

http://www.johnweeks.com/boneyard/photos
/mojave2011x06.jpg



Captain Doug, speaking of the "Gimli Glider" from earlier...


copy and paste upper web ^^^site....

I found it.....in the Boneyard....Mojave desert....I hope it goes thru....

Note — The famous Gimli Glider is the first full aircraft on the left in the lower right photo above. The Gimli Glider is an Air Canada Boeing 767 aircraft that ran out of fuel and made an unpowered dead stick landing at a closed down military base north of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I dunno... all the new-fanglies technolligy stuff for tellin' wot t'weather's goin' to be like!! Wot's wrong wi' two pine cones, a bunch o' finest Filey Brig Bladderwrack and lookin' oot t'window??

CAT III Approach. Good point about security line ups. Actually, most go to the top floor (departures) level to go through security.
Many are unaware of the "other" security entrance if you don't have to check a bag. It's much faster.
The Malton gallery is a 30 second walk from there.

To my knowledge, most of the instruments are still used today. In fact, my GTAA contact said he was going to line up a visit for me to the Pearson weather office.

The two degree spread is for Celsius. Only "you know" who uses Fahrenheit but their METARS (weather reports) are in Celsius.

Ed Murphy. Glad you liked the quote.
Better for me to say it than someone else. :)

Great pic of James. I like the picture of the day. :)

Getjets. You should have been a weather person....you have such a great "sense of humidity." LOL

I know...lame... :(

And speaking of Google...it's why the well is always dry for enRoute questions....people just Google it....

Getjets. You are teasing us with those links that are dead ends.

But it seems you are sending a pic of the Gimli Glider. It continued in service for 25 years and retired three years ago.
Actually, all of our B767-200s have been put out to pasture.

But when one door closes another opens...the only glitch is we've been holding open the door for the B787 for over three years now.
And because of it, there is quite a draft coming in.... :)

Just hope it aint a dead end like your links... LOL

Hi
Speaking about that meteorology book. is there a plan for one in the near future.
Thanx looking forward for it.
As an instructor teaching this stuff it could help a lot.

Anon (Nehal) You belong to quite a website. I see you've been to Inuvik (CYEV).
Looks like you are getting around with that Nikon D5000 or are people sending them in?

Wendy's, it's attached to Country Style Donuts?

Yes, I see you guys parked along the button of 23 when I taxi onto 23 at the "hotel" intersection.

Again, thanks for sharing your photos. You have tons!

Foggy. Things are a changin'...... :)))

It's either hang on to your hat with the technology or get swamped, mired and fall behind.

Luckily, I have my 13 year old son to get me out of the technological ditch now and again. LOL

Anon. Yes, James is a "special guy." He keeps tabs on me. He's watches me on the Weather Network as well because he has a meteorological background. :))))))))

Looks like I picked an appropriate pic for this post.

:)

Anon. Funny I was talking to "number one" about this very thing today.

She said, "if I spent less time on my blog, I might get the book written."
(those words were paraphrased and you don't get the tone in which they were said) lol

I have to quench my blog addiction first before the meteorological text will spill out unto paper.

But you know, maybe "number one" is onto something?

Out of curiosity, which weather book are you using?

From the Ground up and the Air Command Manual?

Captain Doug the procrastinator. :)

A great post, Doug and thanks. The variety of weather measuring gadgets will boggle the mind. When discussing weather info resources with another pilot-friend, he ended his note by suggestion that we not forget to consider the LOTFW forecast, meaning Look Out the [blank] Window! I was hoping for a score concerning the Sun Gauge (crystal ball) bout you nailed it. In it's proper function, a truly brilliant invention! Monday's crabbing adventure near Reedsport (OR, USA) was a resounding success. The pilot-host-friend of the recent photo flight was to be a guest at the crab-feed, but could not make it. We dropped off a half-dozen fresh Oregon Dungies while passing through his town. At one point, I was curious about his obviously calm, competent flying skill. The man of few words finally confessed: Retired AA Captian w/ close to 35k total hours. DUH! Captains like fresh crab. Best wishes, -Craig.

Cedarglen. Sounds like good times had by all. Looks like you were up flying with a true veteran!

I'll be lucky if I accrue 25,000 hours. I will have 18,000 hours this month with ten years to go.

Thanks for checking in. :)

Doug

Aaaah, the word ' Weather Book ' has made it to this blog again...hmmmmm (hint hint hint) :)

Weather... I'm all into math and physics at the moment but maybe there's some time left for a nice weather book...

Bas :)

Bas. You are one of my biggest fans for this book.

If I write it, I must use one of your "cirrus" shots posted on your blog.

Looks like you are getting lots of feedback and comments.

I see you started picture of the week. Sadly, your first pic has our Canadian competition in the pic.

I'm taken aback. :(((((

Kidding...... :))))))

DEAD END LINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It can't be me......LOL
I am going to figure out how to get a "live" link...on ...if I got to hire a friggin pigeon to fly up and peck your damn keyboard for me......:)))))))))

ok...venting is so good...

The pic of the day.....how can anybody not be smiling like that...love the office....this is gonna sound stupid...but I think I would faint....to be up there...there's the trusty ole paper bag....

course I'll be wondering when was the last time that sheepskin seat cover thingie was washed...ha ha....yea yea yea...

some of the old TWA videos...in flight....and you can see all the way down the isle right out of the cockpit window....those were the days.....but can't fight an enemy that happens to be IT'S OWN WORST ENEMY.....

WE LOST 30 AMERICANS A COUPLE DAYS AGO.....GET OUT..OF DODGE....
AMERICA IS THE LAUGHING STOCK....WORLD..I KNOW..IT...I FEEL IT....I KNOW THIS ISN'T THE PLACE TO SAY THESE THINGS..SO ENOUGH SAID....

Hey Thanks for listening....and no response please...

now I am nervous as hell about the upcoming 10 anniversery...but ya gotta live your life....

and to think back in 1988...I was dancing my A... off to Prince's "Party like it's 1999...and I remember vividly thinking..."thats 12 years away"....I am gonna live forever....
now I am just a few years aways from pushing tennis balls...forward....
Thanks Captain...

that wasn't lame....Captain!!!!!...that was a good one...'sense of humidity" you gotta a cheat sheet..

Getjets. You are a "link" tease. :)))

And I agree, how can anyone NOT be smiling in that seat. James loves it!

Yes, in one month marks the 10th anniversary. Funny I bumped into the captain I flew with on that day which set this earth upside down.
He, at the time was fifty, now I'm fifty and he is retiring in a few months.

I was wondering what to bid next month. Thanks for reminding me.

Pushing tennis balls??? Is that a southern game? I was "hitting" them with my daughter last evening.

and I agree...you gotta live your life!

Speaking of which, I'm off to see the homeland tomorrow...yet again.

Looks like things are improving weatherwise....it's only going to be overcast with a high of 14 C (56 F).

That sunshine recorder is going to get dust on it.

Doug

I know what you mean, Doug, re the techno. That's one reason I don't 'do' facebooking or twitting!

Back to the Wx - What you had in St. Johns a couple of days ago will be into the NW/N of the UK early tomorrow, and the SW/S on Thursday. Thank you ;)

All this weather talk has given me a idea...

Getjets. Cheat sheet? Not necessary...we weathermen are full of surprises. :)))

Foggy. I hear ya about this technology. Facebook can get you into trouble. I won't even hint as to what transpired during my high school reunion because of FB. Then again, blogs come with inherent challenges as well. LOL

But lets talk something more generic...the weather...hopefully your idea will materialize.

Until then, I'm off to the East coast early tomorrow morning.

Pushing tennis balls......you didn't take that personally, did ya....now thats a mental picture....NOT....

you know(tennis balls).... on a walker....a walker....smiling now??? helps with mobility....so I've heard...you really didn't know???

Thanks for the heads up....

Gonna have to check that ole airport web cam...looks like they are doing some construction work on Bridge #4....who knows maybe i will get a peek at your tail....thats a pg-13 joke....

and the harbour cam....maybe you'll get lucky, and get me a pic of it....can ask at least....

Captain Doug - indeed I am. Thirty years done, eight shifts to go. Had I listened to my mother, I might have been pushing aluminum for a living instead of pulling hose.

As it was, I was able to get my PPL back in the day, obtaining 190 hrs before kids, two jobs and other pressures made flying take a back seat. Though I no longer fly, I have absolutely no regrets spending the time and money to learn how. It is an item that I was able to cross off of my bucket list at an early age.

I read your blog every post, and enjoy it very much. Thanks.

Safe trip to the homeland Captain Doug....

listening to live JFK ATC...tension high today....

Getjets. I'll see if I can get a better pic.

Tensions high in JFK? When isn't it? lol

Thanks for the tennis ball explanation.

As far as gate construction, yes it's going on in "Tore Bay" and Montreal big time. But construction is happening at every airport this summer.

Halifax is living up to its reputation in shutting down a runway. They use runway 14-32 for taxiing but only half of the 200 feet is available.
It made for interesting adjustments on my part when turning the corner with Transport Canada in the jumpseat.

Capt. Schmoe. Thanks for your perseverance with my blog.

I try to make it interesting. :)

Although the comments help!

Glad you got flying under your belt at an early age. For many people the light comes on later in life, but
whenever it does, I still think it's worth the endeavour.

Hiya Captain Doug,

That picture James sent in is just great - thanks to both of you for sharing it. His smile really does say it all.

Great post on the met display at Pearson too. I love that stuff - all airports should have aviation artifact displays.

Getting busier with work now - to the point I've booked 17 flights since August 1. That should keep me out of trouble for the next couple of months! Good thing the company is quick at paying expenses, because my Visa is bleeding right now!

Thanks again for the great posts recently, and especially those pictures of the day. Awesome stuff!

Craig R

Ya know I wish I could have seen you make that turn on runway 14/32...at the Halifax with less than 100 feet of swing...but you swung....didn't you!!!!!

yes...when aren't the tensions high at JFK....when you hear the Controller say....in no uncertain...terms..."AMEND YOUR INSTRUCTIONS...Immediately!!!!!! gets your attention....

so it's after midnight...and the night shift.....is no place to be!!!!

Mr. Foggy...you have some interesting idea's...well you should be up..isn't it morning there....spill them....I won't tell...actually I am serious...but who would know.... or could find out....except for those on the night shift.....

alright who's snoring...lol??????


lucky you"))))) oops I missed...I messed up my eyes...


oh and I know BAS is up...I made a real mess there....ha ha
why is it....the computer screen will memorize you....all the while you don't want to call home....????

Getjets. And speaking of the midnight shift...it's time to make the donuts.

Off to Montreal and back and then to St. John's.

And you pegged it...it was exiting the ramp in Hotel unto runway 14/32.

The Notams for construction are poor. We get so many impertinent Notams stating the beacon near the North Pole is U/S but they don't tell you there is only 100 feet on the runway to taxi. Wait until there is a dark and dirty night.

Enough of my early morning rant, :))))

I'll take the shift from here. Get some rest!

and another "heavy" blog count yesterday .....

the Boeing nuts would be proud

LOL about the metars.... :)

Getjets...great dig about the "50 yr old" instrument....:):)

I'll have a look at the display on Thursday if I get a chance....meeting my wife in YYZ for the flight home :)

I am sitting in an ESSO at 12:30 pm eastern, with 4 other 1000 hour pilots who are sleeping on couches/chairs around me. We arrive early and depart late. And why is it that I am in this field?

Would be awesome Captain! :) Well it's about time Air Canada brings their maple leaf tails to Schiphol then!

'Sense of humidity', Hahahaha. Didn't hear that one before, must be in the business for such things :P

Bas (Weather book, weather book, weather book) :P

CAT III Approach. When I posted the blog count of 777...I thought you would notice. lol

Meeting your wife in YYZ? Forget about the weather instruments...take her to the Maple Leaf lounge and
and treat her to a drink...

Doug in overcast and COLD St. John's. It's confirmed...they cancelled summer. :))))

Anon. I've been there. For me it was the back office of the flight service station in Charlo, New Brunswick. We would sleep on the floor in sleeping bags dreaming about making it to the "big leagues." Perseverance won!
I now get to to command a medium size airliner with a wake up call of 2:45 a.m Eastern. So did I make it?

You're damn right I did!!!

Enjoy the camaraderie . One day you will look back and realize just how good and fun you had it. Really!

Captain Doug in frigid Newfoundland.

Bas. You are smooth. No wonder you have lots of "attention" with your blog. LOL

Speaking of weather books. I walked by another weather display this morning at CYYZ. Seems like "weather" is the "theme of the month." The book was Weather Ways. It's an antique first written in the 50s. It still kicks butt.

Doug in weather prone St. John's, Newfoundland

Dr. Asuncion. It truly is a marvel! I suspect they turned this ordinarily rear wheel drive into a front wheel drive.

Every time I see it, I marvel at its ingenuity.

Glad to see Daniel enticed you unto my blog.

Captain Doug from 49 Inverness Ave. :))))

I need some serious sleep....

Thanks CAT III...!!!!I am to please....and spread Good Will to all mankind...UUUUHHHHH

I think tensions were running high at JFK....as usual,

the A-380 Korean Air...landed..first flight to JFK....I heard the exchanges...but didn't find out till last night...first flight...the controller was speaking SLOWLY...to guide that monster with the turns off the runway to taxi...

Sure was Windy today at the Toronto Pearson!!!!

Getjets. I agree...it was windy at Toronto Pearson...I sure didn't display one of my better crosswind landings. Then again, nor did
my F/O landing in St. John's tonight. :)))
Today must have been short on good landings.

Plus it was a little short on courtesy and common sense. A Newfoundland destined passenger wouldn't remove his headset prior to take off.
Finally after an agent showed up to remove him plus with me giving him an "authoritative Captain lecture" we decided to take him.

After the flight when he exited the aircraft he threatened the in-charge. Don't people know everyone is spring loaded to take action?

He could have spent the rest of his day talking to police. The sense of ha-ha is gone.

Captain Doug...and it's those dumb .....'s that make it hard on everyone else flying...and we are at the 1 month holding...date..

I know I am on Edge!!!!!!


He should have been booted literally....I would have been the first...in that line!!!!! and I would have found a "Conveniant" place for that head set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..

yea CYYZ..had some serious gusty winds....today..~~~~~~~~~

Big Dry air mass over the atlantic ocean, near the hurricane convergence zone???

so no real threat...for hurricane's developing for now....

course the heat index today was over 115 degree's and in the Extreme Cat.

and in St. John's it's in the 50's and looks every bit as chilly!!!
and the construction worker's in their jackets....

Stay warm....

I just don't get it when people become belligerent over something as silly as removing a headset for a few minutes at takeoff. Big deal.

I remember watching some guy get into it with a gate attendant once, when they wanted to gate-check his way-oversized bag. There was no way on earth this thing was going to fit in the overhead bin - I mean, it wasn't even close - but for some reason he had an absolute meltdown at the gate, with all kinds of swearing and carrying on.
I just got on the plane and never saw him again. I wonder if he spent his afternoon chatting with police?

And over what? Honestly … what did he gain from that?

The more people I meet, the more I like my cats.

Thanks for the motivation Capt'n Doug. The more I learn about the industry the more I need it.

One day, hopefully I have the honour to sit as your relief pilot.

Safe Flights

Captain Doug, Congrats again on the blogss stats. The hits and comments continue to grow - almost like crabbing on a very good day! Congrats also on hitting 18k hours this month. It may not be a record, but it iss more than plenty to demonstrate safe driving. I'd ride on your airplane anytime you were willing to fly it - iand if not, equally happy to stay on terra firma. Today's 767 shot from Craig M. is one of the best that I've seen. Thanks, Craig!
-Craig (another one)

Craig M,

Love the photo! :))

a fellow YOW'er (ha!) hanging out at THAT fence...

Getjets. You are getting all meteorological on me. LOL

When you fly to Newfoundland bottle some of that heat.

They have not seen the sun in two weeks, no word of a lie.

Weather. The Newfoundlanders see a lot of it!

But there are ways to handle it:

1. Drink. St. John's is host to George Street which has the highest capital of bars in Canada.

2. Embrace. Put up and shut up. Embrace the weather...I know...easier said than done when the rain comes down horizontally.

3. Move. Newfoundlanders have set up shop in Toronto and out west. Fort McMurray and other Alberta towns have "Newfie clubs."

Doug now in sunny Toronto

Craig R.

I hear ya. An airplane is a melting pot of all sorts. You could have a PHD in Greek mythology sitting next to a murderer fresh out of prison.
You can have different religions causing a raucous. People high on drugs, boozers, people strung out on medication, passengers deprived of sleep having travelled 36 hours, screaming kids, the physically and mentally challenged, people going home to die, the obese requiring the seat belt extension, the mother who wants to have a baby on Canadian
registered aircraft, drug smugglers, couples who want to join the mile high club and the worse of all and I shouldn't say this because of it's vulgarity...but here it goes....

...you could sit next to a pilot. LOL LOL

Anon. I remember being in St. John's, Newfoundland (not sure why it happened there) but I was flying the Dash 8 frozen in the right seat for eons. I remember looking "way up" to the parked Airbus A320. I thought to myself, I hope one day I will be there. This morning prior to push back, Captain Doug released the park brake to that Airbus 320.

The feeling I got (thinking about our conversation)...priceless.

Gee, this old sappy skipper has tears forming.

Cedarglen.

I concur...Craig M took a great shot!
I'll take the B767 anytime even though it is an antique. Then again, the Airbus A320 is getting up there too!

Weather....!!!!

thats my sentimental side...!!!with an emphasis on Mental...lol....
tell ya what....HEAT STROKE....deadly!!!!...can sneak up on ya.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SERIOUS

OK....topic: Suck A_____...weather in St. John's..coping skills.....

#1 Drink....CHECK!

#2 Embrace.....CHECK!

#3 Move.....already did it...CHECK!

newfie clubs????...is the term...'newfie'...well, it's used in a deragatory way...sometimes, by some people....

It happened to me...once...something was said....about 'newfie's'...(and not such a nice way) and I live all the way down here....

that GRUDGE..., is on my my fireplace mantel....Still!!!!!

Enough Enough....

Captain Doug, not to say something here(your blog) about everything talked about...after all....I do have my own HEN HOUSE.....HA....


but....you are becoming quite the comedian....!!!!!

your reply to Craig R....your punch line....was NOT what I expected...."might sit next to a PILOT...OMG...how funny....

well I am off to eat boiled crabs tonite....Blue Gulf Crabs...it isn't pretty...when your eating them....but soo good..

I have always loved Weather....ya just didn't ask...:)))))))))
miss.....

Getjets.

I too chuckled when I wrote...."might sit next to a pilot." In fact, I'm still smiling.

But speaking of humour, I too was the brunt of it. In fact, I made sure no one knew I was a Newfoundlander growing up because of the "Newfie" jokes. For those reading... "Newfie" jokes are equivalent to other nationalities around the world
picked on by others.

Now I brag about it. People are taken aback when I say I am a Newfie. For one thing, I don't have the accent. I grew up in Nova Scotia. And now I don't have much of a Nova Scotia accent. I am a displaced Maritimer with a baby boomer impatience and an "upper Canadian" attitude. LOL

Enough said about humour. One man's funny thoughts are another man's cutting words. (Now I'm getting philosophical) :)

Speaking of which, wait until you see "picture of the day."

So you have an inkling for weather? Aviation and weather?

Looks like we have have more than just being "Newfies" in common. :)

the picture of the day....lasted 4 minutes...

gotta get that pic for posterity..

let somebody say something about newfie's now...and let me hear...

time to copy that pic